6 Gallon OMC Metal Fuel Tank

[Wgib]

I have a 1989 Bass Tracker Pro17 with an Evinrude 40hp. My father-in-law gifted me the boat last summer and I have slowly been upgrading and replacing neglected items. Rebuilt both carbs and got the engine running well with a full tank of alcohol-free fuel last summer. Ran it a few times put Stabil in and parked for the winter. Recently got the boat out and did a little crappie fishing and boat ran great. Next time out it started surging after a few minutes of run. Idled back and stopped surging. Replaced primer bulb and checked things over. Each time out it has gotten worse. Tonight, I pulled the fuel pickup off of the tank and it is cracked. More air in the tank due to fuel being consumed is causing the problem to worsen I believe. So the question, any way to repair the fuel pickup tube? I am fairly handy...21yrs of industrial maintenance work! Thanks in advance!

 

[Vic.S]

Almost all the parts are available.
Which part is cracked, the tank connector 174508 ?
If so that is one of the very few parts which may not be but ITYWF it can be replaced with the fuel hose connector kit 0176745 if necessary but perhaps not from iBoats. I doubt if repair will be possible.

See the parts list on this site at http://ww2.iboats.com/Fuel-Tank/dm/cart_id.930295027--session_id.233254606--view_id.1550310

 

[Scott Danforth]

buy a new fuel pump pickup for the tank and replace it.

 

[Wgib]

It is actually the copper pickup tube inside of the fuel tank. It seems to be soldered to the aluminum housing. So, I would need to order 398409, I believe.

Edit: Which isn't available from iboats...

 

[matt167]

398409

Looks like used only at this point and a $$$ item at that. Cheaper to buy a new tank.

But you can solder copper.. Run a fish wire up the tube to use as a reamer and solder the crack

 

[racerone]

Those metal tanks are the best.----I would fix it.------If pick up tube is damaged can you slide a piece of hose over it to repair the damage ??

 

[oldboat1]

^+1

 

[Wgib]

Those metal tanks are the best.----I would fix it.------If pick up tube is damaged can you slide a piece of hose over it to repair the damage ??

That's what I am thinking. Either slip a hose over the existing or cut the old one off and leave a little sticking out for a nipple to slip a hose over? Nylon hose should be fine for this application?

 

[Crosbyman]

cut the tip at 45 deg. !!

 

[oldboat1]

Fuel hose suitable for all gasolines. Inside diameter = outside diameter of copper tube. Need rigidity of original copper tube, pickup at bottom of the tank.

May need a hose clamp to complete the fix.

 

[Wgib]

So there is the crack in copper pickup tube...ugh

 

[Scott Danforth]

BTW, that copper tube is just swedged into the aluminum.

 

[racerone]

Those metal tanks are the best in my opinion.-----I would fix that one way or the other.----No plastic ( aka JUNK ) tanks for me.

 

[Wgib]

View attachment 339318So there is the crack in copper pickup tube

BTW, that copper tube is just swedged into the aluminum.

Does that mean it could be removed with a little brute force?

 

[Scott Danforth]

or a drill.

yes, anything man made can be re-made

you will then need to make a swedging tool

or drill and tap for a NPT to tube fitting

 

[matt167]

There isn't any reason you cannot solder that crack.. I was thinking you meant it was split in half, in which case soldering it together, or as others noted just patch it with rubber hose... But the crack the way it is. sand it with fine sandpaper, apply some flux and solder it with plumbers solder. No reason it won't work, it's just copper tube

 

[Wgib]

There isn't any reason you cannot solder that crack.. I was thinking you meant it was split in half, in which case soldering it together, or as others noted just patch it with rubber hose... But the crack the way it is. sand it with fine sandpaper, apply some flux and solder it with plumbers solder. No reason it won't work, it's just copper tube

Thought of this...I have some smaller soldering wire that I may try sweating it with. Only concern for me would be too much solder, in turn, blocking the tube.

 

[matt167]

Thought of this...I have some smaller soldering wire that I may try sweating it with. Only concern for me would be too much solder, in turn, blocking the tube.

I think you would have to try hard and use way too much to do that.

 

[oldboat1]

has to be a 90 degree fitting of some kind up there, I would think -- condition unknown.

Maybe you can find a cheap donor tank and use the top and and pick up assembly.

 

[Wgib]

Thank you, gentlemen, for all of the advice and ideas. Forgot to take pics before reassembling but I ended up cutting the 90 off of the tube, slipping a piece of submersible fuel hose over the split pipe and hose clamping it! First time this bulb has pumped up tight that I can remember! Thanks again!